Power management and security for wireless modules in “machine-to-machine” communications
Inventors
Assignees
John A Nix • Network 1 Technologies Inc • M2M and IoT Technologies LLC
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Publication Number
US-10250386-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for power management and security for wireless modules in “Machine-to-Machine” communications. A wireless module operating in a wireless network and with access to the Internet can efficiently and securely communicate with a server. The wireless network can be a public land mobile network (PLMN) that supports wireless wide area network technology including 3rd generation (3G) and 4th generation (4G) networks, and future generations as well. The wireless module can (i) utilize sleep and active states to monitor a monitored unit with a sensor and (ii) communicate with wireless network by utilizing a radio. The wireless module can include power control steps to reduce the energy consumed after sending sensor data by minimizing a tail period of a radio resource control (RRC) connected state. Messages between the wireless module and server can be transmitted according to the UDP or UDP Lite protocol with channel coding in the datagram body for efficiency while providing robustness to bit errors. The wireless module and server can utilize public key infrastructure (PKI) such as public keys to encrypt messages. The wireless module and server can use private keys to generate digital signatures for datagrams sent and decrypt messages received. The communication system between the wireless module and the server can conserve battery life in the wireless module while providing a system that is secure, scalable, and robust.
Core Innovation
The disclosed method saves power during machine-to-machine communication of sensor information over a wireless network. A wireless module stores identity information and transmits it to a communication network server to establish a connection. The module subsequently places its processor in sleep mode and its radio in off mode, wakes after a predetermined sleep-mode time, records sensor information, and encrypts that information using a derived key based at least on a module private key.
The module transmits the encrypted sensor information via the wireless network and receives encrypted confirmation information, which it decrypts using the derived key to confirm receipt by an application server. In response to confirming receipt, the module returns its processor to sleep mode and its radio to off mode. The disclosure also outlines signed messages as a lower-overhead alternative to digest authentication, compact messaging, and minimized connected-state radio tails.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims identify one independent claim. Its coverage is defined by five inventive features covering identity and connection establishment, power-saving sleep and wake sequences, encrypted sensor-information transmission, encrypted confirmation of receipt, and a return to sleep.
Wireless-module identification and connection
The wireless module stores identity information and transmits it to a communication network server via the wireless network to identify the module and establish a connection with the communication network.
Processor sleep and radio-off operation
The wireless module changes its processor to a sleep mode and its radio to an off mode, determines whether a predetermined sleep-mode time has expired, and changes the processor to an active mode and the radio to an on state when that time expires.
Encryption and transmission of sensor information
The wireless module records sensor information, encrypts it using a derived key based at least on a module private key, and transmits the encrypted sensor information via the wireless network.
Encrypted confirmation of server receipt
The wireless module receives encrypted confirmation information, decrypts it using the derived key, and confirms based at least on the decrypted confirmation information that the encrypted sensor information was received by an application server.
Return to sleep after confirmation
In response to determining that the encrypted sensor information was received by an application server, the wireless module changes its processor to sleep mode and its radio to off mode.
Together, these features cover all elements of the claim, combining module identification, timed sleep and wake operation, encrypted sensor-data transmission, and encrypted receipt confirmation that triggers a return to sleep.
Stated Advantages
Saves power during machine-to-machine communication of sensor information.
Minimizes the connected-state radio tail.
Presents signed wireless-module messages as a lower-overhead alternative to digest authentication, requiring one message-and-response round trip rather than at least four packets.
Reduces radio-active time by 250 ms and saves approximately 0.5 J of energy.
Documented Applications
Machine-to-machine communication of sensor information over a wireless network, with encrypted sensor information sent to an application server.
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